March 27, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Ryan Kauffman is the owner and president of Control Solutions Inc, a locally based, nationally recognized Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning contractor.
Start at Grand Rapids Community College and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.
Kauffman began his HVAC career in 2004 when he began taking classes at GRCC. He completed an associate degree in Applied Art and Science at GRCC.
Kauffman transferred to Ferris State University, where he took night classes to complete his HVACR Engineering bachelor’s degree.
He was thrilled by how easily his work with the GRCC HVAC program transferred into Ferris State University’s degree program. As a student working a full time job, Kauffman was impressed with the night time class offerings, and the professors who taught those classes.
“I remember a class on local history that was very interesting,” he said. “Our professor knew the history of the city very well and brought more to the class than just reading a book. He took us on a tour and showed us all kinds of historical places and items along with the many stories of the things we were seeing. He went over and above to make the class fun and more than just for a grade.”
Professors understood life outside of school, and were typically very experienced in the workforce. Being able to bring real life experience into the classroom was incredibly impactful for students like Kauffman.
Even as an alumnus, Kauffman encourages students to take advantage of the cost effective educational opportunities that GRCC offers. He often sends electrical apprentices from his company to the GRCC Leslie E. Tassell MTEC Center for electrical apprenticeship classes.
“GRCC is a great local college that gives cost effective school opportunities to students to get their associates degree and to move onto higher degrees or into the workforce,” Kauffman said.
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